From the course: Leading in Uncertain Times

Assume responsibility for the new normal

From the course: Leading in Uncertain Times

Assume responsibility for the new normal

- A well managed breakdown can be just what's needed for a breakthrough. No one but you is going to reduce your stress. If the organization is going to change, the teams have to change, and that means you have to be willing to change and take on more responsibility. Here are a few ground rules you can set to help your team take personal responsibility for the new norm. Stay positive, control the controllables. There is a circle of concern, influence and control. Don't be distracted by the circle of concern. Sacrifice, change is about getting rid of old habits and creating new ones. That means you're going to have to stop doing some things that may be comfortable, and start doing things that aren't so comfortable. Think about the tasks that only you can do and that you must do now. Focus on those and make a concerted effort to eliminate or delegate the less essentials. Slow down, on expeditions, we have a mantra. You want to go fast, go alone. If we want to go far, we go together. It's about taking a step back and slowing down to ensure the direction is right so you can actually speed up. Create contingencies, one thing the military teaches is to plan for things that could go wrong. You may have heard the phrase, plans don't survive first contact with the enemy. Well, most business plans are like that too. For me, the best hard questions to ask for creating awareness during difficult times is what could put us out of business tomorrow? When we create an atmosphere by setting ground rules like the five I've described, your team is able to act with autonomy and audacity to accelerate your team's performance.

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